Spanish Trip 2026 - Newsletter

Spanish Trip 2026 9th-12th June 2026

Cantabria, Spain

Where we're going The Cantabria region is on Spain’s north coast. Santander, the capital, is a port on the Bay of Biscay, known for its long, curving El Sardinero Beach, and Cabo Mayor lighthouse.

In the forested Cantabrian Mountains, Picos de Europa National Park has hiking trails and ski areas.

Included in our trip Return coach from school - Gatwick Airport Return flights from Gatwick - Bilbao (1 small hand luggage plus 20kg hold bag) Coach in Spain (which will be with us for the whole trip) Full board accommodation Tapas tasting Nightly Spanish lessons City tour to the capital Santander Tour of Parque De La Naturaleza De Cabarceno (amazing wildlife park) Surf lesson

Where we are

Staying

Hotel Campomar, Playa la Arena

About the Hotel We’re staying at the Hotel Campomar, Playa la Arena, Cantabria We’ll be collected from the airport by our coach and driver - who will remain with us for the duration of our trip. The hotel is located on the sandy beach of La Arena with Isla village centre a 5 minute drive away. The hotel has plenty of space around it and wonderful views of the surrounding countryside. Santander, the capital of the province and a busy seaside town, is easily accessed.

The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, paddle ball court, pétanque, small mini golf and beach volleyball area (all included).

Student rooms; 3-5 bedded rooms All en-suite Hairdryer Towel provided - NOT shower gel etc.

How we’re getting there Departure Day - Tuesday 9th June Meet at school at 6am sharp - we can't be late - we've got a flight to catch!

Board the coach and we're off to Gatwick Airport.

Departing LGW at 0925hrs Flying with Vueling Airlines flight VY7291 Arriving BIO at 1230hrs Arrival home - Friday 12th June Departing BIO at 1810hrs Flying with Vueling Airlines flight VY7298 Arriving LGW at 1900hrs Back to school approx. 8pm

Please be aware that meals on our flight are not included in the cost - but snacks and drinks can be purchased on board using a debit/payment card (airlines do not accept cash) or students can bring snacks from home.

Luggage allowance - 20kg plus one small on board bag - making sure no liquids of more than 100ml are in the hand luggage these will be confiscated by Airport Security.

Our Itinerary

Please remind your child that this is an educational trip in term time - not a holiday

Day 1 After arriving in Spain, we’ll stop on route to the hotel, to stretch our legs and get some fresh air. Then we'll go to our hotel, check in and spend the remainder of the afternoon by the pool.

Dinner at the hotel, followed by a Spanish language lesson, reflections on the day and, following our very early start - an early night !!

Day 2 Breakfast at the hotel followed by a leisurely wander around the town of Santander to get our bearings then lunch (packed lunch) before getting back on the coach and heading to the sea for our surf lesson!

After this we’ll head to our Tapas Tasting, then its back to the hotel for free time and later, our evening meal.

The evening will end with a Spanish language lesson and reflections on the day.

Day 3 Breakfast at the hotel followed by a full day’s visit to Parque De La Naturaleza De Cabarceno; (The natural park of Cabárceno) which is a naturalised space and is home to 100 animal species from five continents living in semi-captive conditions, including large enclosures where one or more species coexist.

Except for the food provided to them, the animals enjoy almost total freedom. Their environment and limited human interference allow the animals to live undisturbed as they would in the wild to promote a healthy ecosystem for all the species living in the zoo.

On the way back to the hotel, we’ll stop and have some free time in the cobbled streets and historic town of Santillana del Mar before returning to the hotel for dinner, Spanish language lesson and reflections and, after another busy day, to bed!

Day 4 Breakfast at the hotel followed by packing up and getting all our luggage onto the coach ready for the airport.

We’ll spend our last day in Bilbao exploring the city and then lunch and we’re off to the Guggenheim Museum (in Bilbao) before we make our way to the airport for our flight home.

All excursions and plans are subject to change and dependent on weather

Packing list Hand luggage (carry onto flight) Passport & EHIC/GHIC (school staff will distribute these on the coach from school) Food, drinks & snacks for the airport & journey - *note 100ml liquid info below Books/games/cards for the airport & flight - but no speakers Any medication (including travel sickness tablets if required) these should be handed to Mr New after Airport security and should be labelled with name, dosage & any other relevant information. If over 100ml it must go into the suitcase.

Spending money - a mixture of pounds for the airport if required and Euros for Spain - a maximum of £40 total please all our meals are catered for.

Suitcase - maximum weight of 20kg -

(please note we will be charged for anything over 20kg and will have to pass the charge on to families when we return)

The weather in June in Cantabria is typically around 22'c, warm, but can be cooler in the evenings.

Clothes - enough for 4 full days and a couple of spares - we're out all day so won't change - maybe more comfy clothes for the evening.

What not to bring; T shirts & shorts Anything not covered by the Trip Day bag/small rucksack for the flight & our excursions Insurance, a copy will be sent Light jacket - just in case of rain home Sun hat Sentimental or expensive items, Sun tan lotion jewellery or electronics Toiletries Anything that you would be Swim wear upset to lose or damage Beach towel Medication (as above) Refillable water bottle - empty before we pass through security Phone charger & European plug convertors No speakers Return home clothes - might be colder on our return... *Liquids of more than 100ml should NOT be in hand luggage

- these will be confiscated by Airport Security

Medical Information...

Thank you for advising us of medical information relating to your child.

Please ensure that students who carry or need an Epi Pen or Inhaler - have 2 of these for the trip. They should keep this in their hand luggage at all times.

In addition to any medication that they may bring or need (please see page 7 about how to get this to us), we need your permission to administer basic medication if required when we are away.

Please complete the Google Form, linked here, by May 18th Mobile phones Whilst mobile phones are allowed on the trip, our usual school rules apply and they will be confiscated for 24hrs if they are used outside designated times (trip staff will advise what these are). We recommend not taking mobiles anywhere they may be damaged (i.e our surf lesson or by the pool) - the school is not responsible for any loses or damages.

Parents & Carers - please check your child's mobile phone contract and make them aware of roaming charges - we don't want you to have a huge phone bill on their return home.

Contacts & Staffing Trip Staff: Miss Nelson (Trip Leader) Miss Hall Mr New (1st Aid Lead) Mr Ospina

Contact - before departure;

Miss Nelson - Trip Leader; inelson@blatchingtonmill.org.uk Mrs Morgan, Educational Visits Coordinator (EVC); bmsevc@blatchingtonmill.org.uk Contact - on the trip; Instagram: blatchmill_trips We'll post updates on our trip & journey on here - so please follow us Trip Leader's mobile: to be advised 1 week prior to departure 1st Aid Trip mobile: to be advised 1 week prior to departure School emergency contact*: 01273 221200 *Please note this landline will be linked to the mobile phone of a member of the school's Leadership team who will be in England for the duration of the trip.

To Do List: Complete Medicine Consent Form on page 8 ASAP but by 18th May Attend meeting in school on Wednesday 20th June - 5.30-6.30pm in the Canteen Passports can be brought to this meeting OR Bring Passports & EHIC/GHIC into school between 1st-4th June (to Mrs Morgan, EVC, room 25, 1st floor, west wing)